Boll-weevil eradicator



e w.. MOBLEY.

' sou. WEEVIL @RADICATOR. APPLICATION HLED MAY 20, 1921.

1,398,599. Patented N0v..29, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. W. MOBLEY.

BOLL WEEVIL ERADICAIOR.

ARPLICATION FILED MAY 20., 1.921.

1,398,599. Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

GEORGE W. MORLEY, OF NAYNESBORO, GEORGIA.

BOLL-WEEVIL ERADICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

Application filed May 20, 1921. Serial No. 471,042,

This invention relates to certain improvements in boll weevil eradicators and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improveddevice of this general character which is adapted to be mounted upon a plow beam of a conventional type and which includes a rotatable beater operating to vibrate. the foliage of the plants and in a manner to dislodge the boll weevils or the like thereon into a trough also supported in desired position by the beam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character including a rotary beater mounted in a manner whereby the same can be readily and conveniently adjusted into a position best desired by requirements. of practice.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of :this general character including a collectingtrough supported in a manner whereby the same may readily pass or travel. over obstructions, such as dirt clods, with which the trough'may come in contact.

The" invention consists in the details of better understood, I will now proceed to de-' scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating a boll weevil eradicator constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention in applied position. i V

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation of my improved device, said elevation being opposite to that in Fig. l.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawmgs, B denotes a plow beam of a conventional type and which is provided at one end portion with the ground working member M and also with the upstanding handle structure H. v The forward portion of the beam B has secured to its under edge or face a bearing 1 in which is mounted a transversely disposed shaft 2 extending beyond opposite sides of the beam B. Fixed to one end portion of the shaft 2 is a ground engaging wheel W so that the rotation of said wheel W will result in the desired rotation of. the shaft 2.

. Fixed to the opposite end portion of the shaft 2 is a gear 3 meshing with a pinion 4. The pinion 4 is carried by a shaft 5 extending longitudinally of the beam B and rotatably supported by the bearings 6 depend ing from said beam. The opposite or inner end portion of the shaft 5 has fixed thereto a sprocket wheel 7 around which is directed an endless sprocket chain 8 for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

Extending upwardly from the beam B at predetermined points spaced longitudinally thereof are the standards or posts 9, and each of said posts in its upper end portion is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 10.

Disposed through one of the openings 10 of each of the standards or posts 9 is a clamping medium 11 herein disclosed as a coacting bolt and nut. This medium, or more particularly the bolt thereof, is disposed through one of a series of longitudia nally spaced openings 12 produced in an elongated arm 14.

'The arms 14 as herein disclosed are disposed downwardly on a predetermined incline beyond the side of the beam B remote from the wheel W and the upper extremities of the arms 14 are connected by the member 15 so that said arms 14 will have unitary swinging movement and in the same direction. The lower end portions of the arms 14 are provided with the bearings .16 in which are loosely mounted the opposite end portions of a shaft 17 The shaft 17 extends beyond the inner arm 14 and to said extend- .desired fixed position.

ed portion is fixed a sprocket wheel 18'over which passes the chain 8 hereinbefore referred to. The chain 8 also passes over an idle sprocket wheel 19rotatably supported by the free end portion of the arm 20 extending in the same general direction as the adjacent arm 14 and which is held to the upper portion of the inner standard or post 9 by a clamping medium 21. This clamping medium 21 comprises a coacting nut and bolt, the bolt being disposed through one of the series of longitudinally spaced openings 22 in the upper or outer end portion of the arm 20 and through one of the openings 10 hereinbefore referred to.

23 denotes a bracing arm having one end portion clamped as at 24 to the upper portion of the forward standard or post 9 and its lower portion clamped as at 25 with the adj acent arm 14 at a point between its lower end and the standard or post 9. The bracing arm 23 serves to hold the arms 14 in a The clamping medium 25 includes a bolt and coacting nut, the bolt being inserted through One of a series of longitudinally spaced openings 26 in the upper end of the arm 23 and through one of the longitudinally spaced openings 10 in the forward standard or post 9. The

clamping means 25 also includes a coacting bolt and nut, said bolt being disposed through one of a series of longitudinally spaced openings 27 in the lower end portion of the arm 23 and also through one of the openings 12 in the adjacent arm 14.

Fixed to the shaft 17 immediately adja cent the bearings 16'are the hubs 28' from which radiate the arms 29, each arm of one hub being alined lengthwise of the shaft 17 with the arm 28 of. the second hub. Connecting the upper end portion of each pair of alined arms 29 is a paddle 30 of cloth or other flexibl material, and the outer marginal portions of said paddles extend beyond the outer ends of the arms 29.

As the machine advances, the chain 8 is moved in a direction to cause the shaft 17- I to rotate downwardly from above or in the direction indicated by the arrow (4 and whereby the blades 30 are caused to brush the stalksor foliage and to vibrate-the same sufficiently to dislodge the boll weevils or the like which may be thereon. The insects so dislodged are thrown into the trough T.

The trough T is of desired configuration and preferably substantially rectangular in cross section and is positioned to the same side of the beam B as the shaft 17.

The trough T is suspended from the beam B by the chains 31 or other flexible members, said chains or members 31 being adjustably engaged with the outstanding lugs or hooks 32 carried by the outer side wall of the trough T at the upper portion thereof. By this means, the trough T may be vertically adjusted with respect to the beam 13 or the surface over which the machine is traveling.

The trough T is also suspended by the links 33 pivotally engaged with the outer side wall of the trough T and the inner side wall of the beam B. j

The forward end portion of the trough T, as at 34, has its bottom inclined upwardly and forwardly. This is of particular advantage as it will permit the trough to readily pass over obstructions, such as clods of dirt, rocks, stumps and the like.

Any desired life destroying agency may be carried within the trough T so that the boll weevils or other insects thrown into said operated, and it will also be obvious that myv invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of. they several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I cla1m:

A machine of the class described comprising a portable body, a brushing medium carried thereby, a trough positioned below the body, flexible members connecting the trough and'body, and links pivotallylconnecting the trough and body.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

GEORGE w. MoBL Y. I 

